Chimney removal cost: partial vs full removal
Chimney removal costs $800 to $7,500, according to HomeGuide: $800 to $2,000 to take the stack down above the roof line, $1,500 to $2,500 to remove the chimney breast below it, and $2,500 to $7,500 for a full demolition. Fixr gives a lower range, $500 to $3,500 for demolition and chimney removal, depending on the size of the structure. HomeGuide puts removing a fireplace and chimney together at $3,000 to $6,000, with a national average of $4,500. HomeGuide says to consult a structural engineer before demolition, and Fixr says that if no appliance is using the chimney, the structure can be removed.
| Job | HomeGuide | Fixr |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney stack removal (above roof line) | $800 to $2,000 | Not given separately |
| Chimney breast removal (below roof line) | $1,500 to $2,500 | Not given separately |
| Full chimney demolition | $2,500 to $7,500 | Not given separately |
| Chimney removal, one overall range | $800 to $7,500 | $500 to $3,500 |
| Fireplace and chimney removal | $3,000 to $6,000 | Not given |
| Fireplace removal only | $500 to $2,500 | Not given |
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
HomeGuide's range for a chimney removal is $800 to $7,500, depending on the size, height and location of the chimney, whether it is a full or partial demolition, and the amount of structural support needed. For a fireplace and chimney removed together, its national average is $4,500, within an average range of $3,000 to $6,000.
Fixr's $500 to $3,500, from its chimney installation cost guide, depends on the size of the structure. Fixr says that after demolition the leftover materials must be removed and discarded by a professional.
HomeGuide's own page gives two figures for a full demolition: its summary table lists $2,000 to $4,000, while its chimney removal section prices a full chimney demolition at $2,500 to $7,500. HomeGuide also says prices could be 50% to 100% more in areas with a higher cost of living, such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle.
Cost of removing chimney above roof line
Removing only the stack, everything above the roof line, costs $800 to $2,000 on average, HomeGuide says. The price includes scaffolding, chimney demolition, removing the flue liner and debris, sealing the chimney hole, and roof repairs.
| Item | HomeGuide average cost |
|---|---|
| Scaffolding rental | $15 to $50 per day |
| Demolition | $25 to $50 per vertical linear foot |
| Roof repairs | $200 to $500 |
| Debris disposal | $250 to $650 |
HomeGuide says demolishing a stack plus repairs and cleanup takes half a day to 3 days, depending on the size.
Stack removal alone is not always an option. For a chimney running along the outside of the house, which HomeGuide calls a "bolt on", it says the entire chimney must be demolished above and below the roof line. HomeGuide lists three cases where the stack may need to stay in place when the breast is removed:
- The stack is shared in a duplex or row house.
- Appliances such as a furnace or water heater use the chimney chase for ventilation. One option it names is a chase cover or top pan flush with the roof.
- Preserving the exterior architecture of the house is important.
Chimney removal and roof repair
Roof work is built into HomeGuide's stack price, with roof repairs alone at $200 to $500. For a full demolition, it puts repairing the walls, floor, roof, siding and paint at $1,000 to $2,000.
Remove chimney below roof line: the chimney breast
HomeGuide describes the chimney breast as the part that encases the fireplace from ceiling to floor, and says it can be removed without demolishing the stack. Removing it costs $1,500 to $2,500 on average, including a structural engineer, demolition, structural support, and patching walls, ceilings and floors.
The stack left above still has to be held up. HomeGuide says any remaining upper portion needs support from gallows brackets or steel beams, and that steel beams cost $100 to $400 per foot to install. In its FAQ, it puts supporting a chimney stack at $50 to $500 per square foot and says this support is typically not required in houses built after the 1930s. HomeGuide says this partial removal, for a chimney in the middle of the house, takes 2 to 4 days.
Full chimney demolition cost
A full chimney demolition costs $2,500 to $7,500 to remove everything above and below the roof line, HomeGuide says.
| Item | HomeGuide average cost |
|---|---|
| Structural engineer | $300 to $1,000 |
| Demolition and structural support | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| Repair walls, floor, roof, siding and paint | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Debris disposal | $250 to $650 |
HomeGuide says completely removing a chimney and fireplace takes two to five days. On debris, it puts a dumpster at $220 to $780 per week plus labor at $25 to $50 per hour. Fixr says chimneys weigh more than a ton and a half.
Chimney and fireplace removal costs
Removing a fireplace costs $500 to $2,500 on average, depending on the size, fuel type, placement and material, HomeGuide says. A site-built stone, masonry or brick fireplace costs more to demolish than a pre-fab insert; HomeGuide puts that demolition at $25 to $50 per vertical linear foot.
| Fireplace type | HomeGuide average cost to remove |
|---|---|
| Wood-burning stove | $500 to $1,000 |
| Gas insert | $500 to $2,500 |
| Electric insert | $500 to $1,000 |
| Outdoor | $500 to $2,000 |
HomeGuide says gas fireplace inserts are more expensive to remove, and the chimney then needs capping or the entire breast removed. If you keep the chimney and only close the fireplace, HomeGuide puts capping, covering and blocking it up at $200 to $800.
What changes the chimney removal price
On location, HomeGuide says a "bolt on" chimney outside the framing is less expensive to remove than one inside it, a stack near the eaves costs less than one at the apex, and a chimney between rooms costs less because no exterior wall needs patching, while a basement chimney adds labor and debris disposal costs.
On materials, HomeGuide says Portland cement mortar, a clay tile flue and a brick fireplace make demolition more time-consuming, and a metal chimney is cheapest to demolish. On hazards, it says asbestos was commonly used to line chimney flues in fireplaces built before 1980 and needs to be removed, with asbestos removal inside the home at $5 to $15 per square foot. It also warns that severely deteriorated or damaged chimneys are at risk of collapsing during demolition.
Permits and a structural engineer
HomeGuide says permission to remove a chimney is required when modifying the structure of the house, or if the home has historical value. Its figures:
- Structural engineer: $350 to $900 for a plan and report, which HomeGuide says is required to apply for permits ($300 to $1,000 in its demolition table).
- Demolition permit: $20 to $150 on average.
- When a permit is typically required: a "material alteration" to the structure, or a chimney stack shared with a neighbor, which also needs the neighbor's written permission.
- Historic districts: you may be obligated to leave an exterior stack in place or replace it with a decorative duplicate.
City rules can be more specific. The Mountain View, California, Building Division's masonry chimney and fireplace guide says a permit is required for any repair, alteration and/or construction of a masonry chimney or fireplace, obtained before work starts. Where a fireplace is removed, it says to verify that the fireplace was not part of the stability of the existing building and to show the proposed framing where the fireplace was.
When the chimney holds up part of the house
A chimney can be part of the structure around it. HomeGuide says to consult a structural engineer to confirm the frame is not resting on the masonry before demolition, and that removing a chimney can compromise the home's stability and requires an inspection from an engineer before proceeding.
Partial removals carry their own risk. HomeGuide says an abandoned chimney, a partially removed fireplace or chimney breast, can collapse and damage the support structure. It says old homes may have a wooden "bracket chimney" that is often poorly designed and can't support the chimney's weight, and that removing the remaining chimney is often more cost-effective than installing supports.
Gas appliances vented into the chimney
Fixr says a home may be using its chimney with an appliance, and that if no appliance is using the chimney, the structure can be removed. It lists water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, boilers and wood-burning stoves among the appliances designed to be vented through a chimney.
The 2021 International Residential Code, where it is adopted, sets the rules for gas appliances in chapter 24:
| Section | What it says |
|---|---|
| G2425.2 General | Every appliance shall discharge the products of combustion to the outdoors, except appliances exempted by G2425.8 |
| G2425.5 Abandoned inlet openings | Abandoned inlet openings in chimneys and vents shall be closed by an approved method |
| G2425.15 Existing chimneys and vents | Where an appliance is permanently disconnected from an existing chimney or vent, or where an appliance is connected to an existing chimney or vent during the process of a new installation, the chimney or vent shall comply with G2425.15.1 through G2425.15.4 |
| G2425.15.1 Size | The chimney or vent shall be resized as necessary to control flue gas condensation in the interior of the chimney or vent and to provide the appliance or appliances served with the required draft. For Category I appliances, the resizing shall be in accordance with Section G2426. |
In its section on whether you need a chimney for a new appliance, Fixr says that if you have an existing chimney, you most likely need to keep it or arrange for your appliances to be vented differently. HomeGuide says gas or electric inserts need a plumber or electrician to disconnect the pipes or wires before removal. HomeGuide puts removing and replacing a chimney liner at $1,200 to $4,600; our chimney liner cost guide covers relining.
Repair or remove chimney
HomeGuide prices chimney repairs at $200 to $850 to fix damage to the stack or fireplace, against $800 to $2,000 to remove the stack and $4,000 to $15,000 to replace a chimney. It says patching cracks and leaks or replacing the flue liner are possible repairs, but fixing a spalling chimney requires removal, rebuilding or replacing.
For a leak, HomeGuide says a partial demolition may fix it, and the work can include new roof flashing and sealant, replacing mortar, adding a chimney cap, repairing the crown, or removing the stack and roofing over the entry point. If the chimney is worth keeping, HomeGuide prices a complete stack rebuild at $1,000 to $3,500; our chimney rebuild cost guide covers that option.
HomeGuide's inspection guide says to request a level 2 inspection if a chimney hasn't been active for a long time or you see signs of damage, at $250 to $600 on average. See our chimney inspection page.
Chimney removal contractors
HomeGuide says removing a chimney yourself is a messy and dangerous project that can cause major structural damage, and that it is not a feasible DIY project. It recommends licensed and insured demolition contractors, at least three in-person estimates, a full itemized contract in writing, and never paying in full or in cash. Its questions to ask a chimney demolition contractor include:
- Are you licensed, insured and bonded?
- Will you have a structural engineer's report and pull the permits?
- How do you plan to dispose of the debris, and is that included in the quote?
- Will you reconstruct the floor, walls, ceiling and roof?
For repair quotes on a chimney you plan to keep, see the full chimney repair cost guide. To get a removal or repair quote, use the form below and we will send your request to a company that serves your ZIP code.
Chimney removal: common questions
How much to remove a chimney?
How much does it cost to remove chimney?
Is it cheaper to remove or repair a chimney?
Should unused chimneys be capped?
How to seal off a chimney?
Sources
- HomeGuide, "How much does it cost to remove a fireplace or chimney?", February 9, 2026: homeguide.com
- Fixr, "Chimney Installation Cost", updated January 31, 2025: fixr.com
- HomeGuide, "How much does a chimney inspection cost?", February 9, 2026: homeguide.com
- International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, "Chapter 24 Fuel Gas" (G2425.2, G2425.5, G2425.15, G2425.15.1): codes.iccsafe.org
- City of Mountain View Building Division, "Standard Masonry Chimney and Fireplace Guide for One-to-Two Family Dwellings", revised 12/23/2022: mountainview.gov